Nepal, Dec. 23 -- In a joint statement issued on Monday evening, the groups urged the festival organizers to halt harmful practices and respect the natural behavior of elephants, specifically requesting the suspension of elephant football and penalty events.

Animal rights activists and related organizations have called for a reconsideration of the upcoming Elephant Festival in Sauraha, Chitwan.

In a joint statement issued on Monday evening, the groups urged the festival organizers to halt harmful practices and respect the natural behavior of elephants, specifically requesting the suspension of elephant football and penalty events.

The statement, signed by 27 organizations, emphasized that while some welfare efforts have been made, trai...